BEIJING, Aug. 20 — China’s State Council Information Office held a press conference on Aug. 20 regarding the preparations for a military parade. It was stated at the conference that the parade will consist of two parts: the inspection of the troops and the march-past, lasting approximately 70 minutes.

On Sept. 3, China will hold a grand military parade to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. The parade marks the first such event since the comprehensive advancement of Chinese modernization on a new journey. It represents a new appearance of the people’s military as it strives toward its centenary, an important embodiment of the continued inheritance of the great spirit of the War of Resistance and the great national spirit in the new era, and a solemn declaration of upholding the correct view of World War II history, resolutely safeguarding the post-war international order, and firmly defending international fairness and justice.

The parade will proceed in two steps: the inspection of the troops and the march-past, lasting about 70 minutes. During the inspection, the troops will line up on Chang’an Avenue to receive the review. The march-past will include an air flag guard formation, foot formations, battle flag formations, equipment formations, and air formations, passing through Tiananmen Square in sequence.

The parade will consist of 45 formations. The air flag guard formation, composed of multiple helicopter formations, will escort flags, form characters, and display banners, symbolizing the nation’s growing prosperity and the military’s continuous development under leadership, as well as the enduring spirit of the War of Resistance over the past 80 years, declaring to the world the great truth that justice, peace, and the people will prevail.

The foot formations reflect both tradition and innovation. The traditional aspect includes veteran units from the War of Resistance, with participants drawn mainly from units that were predecessors of the Eighth Route Army, New Fourth Army, Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army, and South China Guerrillas, as well as militias from provinces where anti-Japanese bases were located. The innovative aspect represents the new layout of military force structure, including the “three-in-one” armed forces system. They will demonstrate strict military discipline, confident strides, and high morale, showcasing the new demeanor of political army building in the new era and the fine image of the people’s military.

The battle flag formations represent the honors earned in the flames of the War of Resistance. Each battle flag was forged with the blood and lives of martyrs, each telling a moving and epic history of the war. Typical flags from different periods, regions, and units were selected from countless heroes and honorary banners, to be carried by officers and soldiers from their respective units, symbolizing the continuous inheritance of the great spirit of the War of Resistance and the people’s military’s fearlessness and determination to advance.

The equipment formations are organized for joint combat operations, including land combat groups, maritime combat groups, air defense and anti-missile groups, information warfare groups, unmanned combat groups, logistics support groups, and strategic strike groups. Many represent the latest equipment in the evolution of modern warfare, including some key national assets, fully demonstrating the military’s powerful capability to prevail in modern warfare.

The air formations are modularized and systematized, consisting of advanced early warning and command aircraft, fighter jets, bombers, transport aircraft, and others, covering most of the main combat aircraft types in active service. Many are high-profile equipment, with some making their first public appearance, fully demonstrating the leapfrog development of the military’s air combat capabilities.

A joint military band composed of members from the PLA Guard of Honor Brigade and other units will perform well-known classic songs from the War of Resistance in front of the Monument to the People’s Heroes, evoking memories of the arduous years of the war and commemorating the heroes who sacrificed their lives for national independence and freedom. Some newly created pieces reflecting the characteristics of the times and the spirit of building a strong military will also be performed for the first time in Tiananmen Square.

Chang’an Avenue

Chang’an Avenue is a major thoroughfare in Beijing, China, historically serving as the main east-west axis of the city. It is renowned for running past Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, symbolizing political power and national identity. Its name, meaning “Eternal Peace,” originates from the ancient name for the city of Xi’an, a former capital of China.

Tiananmen Square

Tiananmen Square is a large city square in the center of Beijing, China, renowned as a national symbol. It was originally designed and built in 1651 and later expanded in 1958 to its current massive size. The square is historically significant as the site of many important political events and public gatherings in Chinese history.

Monument to the People’s Heroes

The Monument to the People’s Heroes is a ten-story obelisk in Tiananmen Square, Beijing, commemorating the martyrs who died for the revolutionary struggles of the 19th and 20th centuries. It was built in 1958 and is adorned with bas-relief carvings depicting major events from Chinese modern history, such as the Opium War and the Chinese Civil War. The monument serves as a national symbol of sacrifice and patriotism.

Eighth Route Army

The Eighth Route Army was a major Communist-led force that fought against Japanese occupation in northern China during the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945). It was formed from the Red Army as part of a United Front with the Nationalist government and became renowned for its guerrilla warfare tactics. Its legacy is heavily promoted in China as a symbol of resistance and Communist contribution to the eventual victory.

New Fourth Army

The New Fourth Army was a major Communist military force formed in 1937 to fight against Japanese invaders during the Second Sino-Japanese War. It played a crucial role in the Chinese Civil War that followed, and a 1941 incident involving it became a significant point of propaganda for the Communist Party. Today, it is memorialized in China as a symbol of revolutionary spirit and resistance.

Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army

The Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army was a major Chinese guerrilla force organized and led by the Chinese Communist Party to resist the Japanese occupation of Manchuria beginning in 1936. It waged a difficult and costly campaign against superior Japanese forces throughout the Second Sino-Japanese War. The army is remembered in China as a symbol of patriotic resistance and is a key part of the historical narrative of the CCP’s role in the war.

South China Guerrillas

The South China Guerrillas were Communist-led resistance fighters who operated behind Japanese lines in Guangdong Province during the Second Sino-Japanese War. They were a crucial part of the larger Communist guerrilla network, harassing enemy supply lines and controlling rural areas. Their efforts significantly contributed to the war effort and later bolstered the Communist position in the region during the ensuing Chinese Civil War.

PLA Guard of Honor Brigade

The PLA Guard of Honor Brigade is a prestigious, elite unit of the People’s Liberation Army responsible for performing ceremonial duties for state visits and major national events in China. It was officially established in 1953, shortly after the founding of the People’s Republic, to project an image of discipline and national pride. The brigade is renowned for its precise drill movements and immaculate uniforms during performances at Tiananmen Square.